DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR
S.O.A.P.S MEETINGS: Third Monday of each month: April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20 (maybe), November 17.
We are considering going to an every other month meeting schedule starting in September. If anyone feels strongly about this one way or the other, they should contact Therisa.
SPAY-GHETTI DINNER
The dinner was successful. I believe the final total was approximately $7000. We appreciate all who helped with this fundraiser.
Membership Drive
We are looking for ideas to encourage membership.
DIRE NEED
SOAPS continues to be in need of foster homes and people to help with transport. These are critical areas for our work to continue. Please consider volunteering.
SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM ENDS
A reminder–SOAPS is no longer issuing vouchers for neutering pets. If you talk with people, please let them know this is because we simply can’t afford to continue sterilizing all the animals in this area.
ONION FESTIVAL
This will be the last weekend of April (24th-26th). We may have a booth at the festival.
UNSUNG HERO
Most people in SOAPS have no clue what goes on “behind the curtain.” We have incredible people doing incredible things to help animals. On March 12th, Mike Eason, Marla Jernigan’s husband, got up at 2 am for his job driving an 18 wheeler. He could have been home and back in bed by 5 p.m. this afternoon. Instead, he
waited around in Atlanta to pick up a load of donated dog food and bring it back to Vidalia. He didn’t pull into town until after 9 p.m. and then helped unload the truck. And this is not the first time he has done this. Mike is our hero and deserves a HUGE thank you from SOAPS and from all the shelters that benefited from this food!
BECOME A FOSTER PARENT
Fostering a needy pet is a richly rewarding experience. Humane societies and pet rescue organizations are often in desperate need of more foster homes.
What Kind of Pets Need a Foster Home?
Some pets are ill and need a quiet place to recover, and get additional care. For example, a dog with a broken leg may need time for its leg to mend and to regain strength before he’s okay to be put up for adoption to his forever home. Taking care of sick pets is probably most suitable for calm homes without young children or frisky pets. Foster homes with recovering pets should be comfortable caring for sick pets, such as changing dressings or administering medications.
This might sound strange, but sometimes pets aren’t necessarily ill, but they need a place to recover their appearance. A cat that’s been shaved for surgery and has a big angry scar, might scare away potential adopters. Once her fur has regrown a little bit, she’ll look “cuter” and hopefully she’ll be able to get a home more easily.
There are also young pets or nursing moms that need a foster home until the youngsters are big enough to be adopted into new homes, and the mom is healthy and strong enough to also look for a new home. Fostering litters of puppies and kitties that don’t have a mom is very demanding, as young animals need to be fed regularly, usually requiring you to get up several times a night to ensure they’re properly fed.
Foster homes are also needed for pets that have been neglected in the past, or are timid and need socializing for whatever reason. Pets that haven’t had a lot of contact with people (or only negative contact with people) sometimes don’t trust people and need to learn that being with people can be a good thing. A well-socialized and friendly pet is much more appealing to the public when they’re looking to adopt a new companion.
Sometimes a pet just needs time to adjust. Some pets that come into shelters and rescue organizations are confused or stressed in the new environment. A foster home gives them the time to relax and enjoy themselves again before they’re put up for adoption.
Why Be a Pet Foster Parent?
In a nutshell, fostering a pet gives them a chance to find a happy, permanent home when they otherwise might not have had that chance. Pets that are sick, too young, stressed out, or un-socialized aren’t the best candidates for adoption. Fostering these pets to let them recover or grow physically or mentally makes them much more attractive pets to families looking to adopt.
How to Become a Pet Foster Home
The first step is to contact your local humane society, SPCA, or animal rescue organization. Most will be in need of foster homes. An interview or application process may follow, with training and orientation for potential foster homes as well. Some organizations may request you attend a course or seminar on animal behavior or handling, or pet first aid. The requirements of every foster program will vary from one organization to another.